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Healthy
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Facts About Reyes Syndrome
Reye's Syndrome is a very serious disease that often develops during cold, flu and chickenpox seasons. The disease occurs after a viral illness begins to wane, although it can occur within three to five days of the onset and can affect any age group from infants to adults.
This disease affects all organs of the body but its main targets are the liver and brain. It is a two-phase illness because it is thought to be connected to a previous viral infection. One danger of Reye's is that it is often difficult to diagnose and is often misdiagnosed as meningitis, encephalitis, drug overdose, Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, diabetes, or even psychiatric illness. In Reye's Syndrome, abnormal concentrations of fat begin to develop in the liver and other organs of the body along with a severe increase of pressure on the brain. Quick and accurate diagnosis is essential in this life-threatening disease.
While the cause is unknown, it is known that Reye's is not contagious. However, it is life-threatening and staff should be aware of the symptoms. If you have a child in your center recovering from a virus, watch for these symptoms during the 2 to 3 weeks following the illness:
- Constant vomiting
- Loss of energy and drowsiness
- Personality changes such as slurred speech, irritability, aggressive behavior or sensitivity to touch
- Disorientation or confusion
- Delirium, convulsions or coma
Children with Reye's may not have all of the symptoms, nor do they have to appear in a particular order. Infants, for example, may display different symptoms such as diarrhea or irregular breathing. If any of these symptoms do occur, Reye's should be suspected. Many emergency rooms have never seen a case of Reye's and may misdiagnose the syndrome.
Many parents have heard about Reye's Syndrome because of warnings regarding the use of aspirin-containing medications. These medications have been known to increase the chance of developing Reye's Syndrome. If children in your center have or are recovering from a viral illness, they should not use aspirin-containing products.
The good news about Reye's Syndrome is that there are numerous survivors of this disease. It is possible for the Reye's survivor to recover completely with no after effects or observable changes in the child. There may, however, be recovery with brain damage and disability ranging from very slight motor or learning disabilities to profound brain injury. With quick diagnosis and treatment, recovery can occur.
For futher information on Reye's Syndrome visit the Reye's Foundation web site.
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